Opinion: New Yorkers, Watch What's Unfolding in Chicago

The Rise of Zohran Mamdani and the Challenges Ahead

Zohran Mamdani has secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, a victory he credits to the confidence he has inspired in younger voters. His campaign has resonated with Gen Z, who are increasingly concerned about affordability and social justice. In conversations with older New Yorkers, many have mentioned that their children introduced them to his campaign, highlighting a shift in leadership expectations.

Mamdani’s campaign is heavily focused on social media, promising to make New York more affordable and to push for progressive policies. As part of this generation, we understand the challenges of being the most housing-burdened and reliant on public transit. However, it's essential to scrutinize the promises made by candidates like Mamdani, especially when similar approaches have not delivered results elsewhere.

Lessons from Chicago: A Cautionary Tale

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ran on a platform of building affordable housing and implementing rent stabilization laws. Despite these promises, Chicago experienced the highest annual rent hike among major metro areas at 5.9%. Additionally, despite spending $300 million in government subsidies, only 500 new affordable units were created. This highlights the difficulty of translating policy into real change.

Johnson eventually shifted toward free-market solutions, such as eliminating parking requirements near public transportation and reducing government red tape. These measures proved more effective in addressing housing costs. Yet, Mamdani’s approach remains rooted in large-scale taxpayer-funded initiatives, including a $100 billion plan to create 200,000 housing units over the next decade. If Chicago couldn't achieve even 500 units with significant funding, it raises questions about the feasibility of Mamdani’s plan.

Rent Control and Its Consequences

Mamdani also proposes freezing rent for rent-stabilized apartments. This strategy has been tried before and often leads to unintended consequences, such as increased vacancies, declining housing quality, and higher demand for market-rate apartments. These outcomes can exacerbate the very issues they aim to solve.

Many Gen Z peers are now choosing cities like Austin, Raleigh, and Baltimore due to lower housing costs. This trend underscores the importance of practical, effective solutions rather than idealistic promises.

Police Reform and Public Safety

Mamdani’s vision for a “Department of Community Safety” instead of relying on the NYPD is not entirely new. Similar reforms in Chicago under Johnson resulted in disappointing outcomes. Johnson, a former teachers’ union lobbyist, took steps to override the City Council and terminate the ShotSpotter system, which detects gunshots. He also removed police officers from schools to address the “school-to-prison pipeline” and eliminated over 2,000 police positions.

Despite these changes, Chicago continues to lead the nation in homicides and mass shootings, even as crime rates fall nationwide. Residents have moved away from the idea that addressing root problems alone will solve crime, instead prioritizing safety. They have voted out progressive officials and expressed support for more policing, not less.

New Yorkers share this sentiment, supporting increased policing. However, Mamdani’s proposals still reflect a belief in defunding the police, even if he has softened his rhetoric. His $1.1 billion proposal relies on assumptions that led to Johnson’s failures.

Transit and the Cost of Free Rides

Mamdani’s plan to make buses fare-free could further strain an already struggling transit system. In Chicago, the Transit Authority has faced dramatic scheduling delays since the pandemic, with homelessness, smoking, and crime prevalent on trains. Ridership recovery lags behind other major cities, resulting in a deficit of over $500 million. Similarly, the NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority faces a projected $900 million deficit.

Unlike many New Yorkers, Mamdani and Johnson do not rely on public transit for their daily commutes. Their policies often overlook the needs of everyday riders who simply want safe, efficient travel. Instead of addressing the root causes of transit issues, their solution involves placing social workers on trains, which may not be the most effective approach.

A Call for Critical Thinking

Chicago’s rejection of Johnson’s progressive policies should serve as a wake-up call. Instead of learning from these failures, Johnson advised Mamdani to double down on similar strategies. This approach risks repeating the same mistakes.

Young New Yorkers should remain vigilant. While many of us desire safe, affordable cities, the lessons from Chicago show that not all progressive policies deliver the promised results. It’s crucial to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed solutions before embracing them.